Judiciary of Sierra Leone Communications, Main Law Courts Building, Siaka Stevens Street Freetown, 29th November 2025:
High Court Judge, Honourable Justice Josephine F. Hinga, has sentenced Fatmata Kamara to Thirty (30) years imprisonment after she pleaded guilty to the offence of unlawful possession of drugs contrary to section 8(a) of the National Drugs Control Act 2008, Act No. 10 of 2008. Fatmata Kamara was found in her possession 40.0 grams of Kush, which she was caught selling to school pupils at the Prince of Wales Secondary School Compound at Kingtom, in Freetown.
It could be recalled on the 12th day of June, 2025, at the Prince of Wales Secondary School Compound at Kingtom in Freetown, the convict was caught selling kush in the guise of cool water and was found in her possession of 40.0 grams of Kush without lawful authority.
At the Magistrate’s Court, the convict was charged with selling of a prohibited drug without lawful authority contrary to section 7(c) of the National Drug Control Act Act 2008, Act No. 10 of 2008 and dealing in a prohibited drug without lawful authority contrary to section 7(c) of the National Drug Control Act 2008, Act No. 10 of 2008. The convict at that initial stage pleaded not guilty, and the matter was committed to the High Court for trial.
In his plea mitigation, the defence lawyer representing the convict, C. Taylor-Young Esq, said the convict is a young woman who did not waste the court’s time. He informed the court that the convict is a single mother of three and the principal caregiver of her old mother and her three children. He assured the court that the convict, during her stay at the Correctional Centre, had been reformed and is now determined to be a change agent if given the minimum sentence.
Prosecuting Counsel J. K Jan-Abu said the state relied on the bench to give the appropriate sentence, taking into consideration the nature and seriousness of the offence that the convict pleaded guilty to.
Delivering her sentence, Hon. Justice Hinga noted that the convict is a mother of three and the principal caregiver of a family of six. She said but that notwithstanding, the offence is not only considered as one of the heinous offences, but one of the principal factors destroying the lives of our youthful population.
She noted that sentencing generally is a deterrence aiming at discouraging the public from committing similar offenses and also a means of safeguarding society, especially from dangerous or repeat offenders.
“On this note, I hereby sentence the convict Fatima Kamara to thirty (30) years imprisonment,” Justice Hinga pronounced.
She also ordered that the said substance be destroyed in the presence of the Director of Public Prosecutions or his representative, the Deputy Master and Registrar of the High Court of Sierra Leone and other relevant authorities. She further ordered that a destruction certificate be submitted to the court.
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